Miranda Lambert’s puppy love brings her to Beaumont

*Story by David Henry
Miranda Lambert may sing about shooting an abusive boyfriend, setting things on fire and not being the “kind of girl to bring home to Mama” but that’s not the only side of the feisty blonde country singer.

She also happens to be an animal lover. Two of her dogs travel with her full time during her “On Fire” tour, which heads to Ford Park in Beaumont on Friday.

Her concert in Beaumont is a fundraiser for her MuttNation foundation, which provides support for homeless and neglected animals.

“I have a farm full of animals, and I come across homeless dogs all the time,” Lambert said. “I am convinced they know how to find me.”

Lambert has spent the last four years pushing herself out of the corner she started in when she broke onto the country music scene with her albums Kerosene and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, portraying her as an angry country rocker you don’t want to mess with.

And she’s been successful. Subdued, subtle country songs like “House that Built Me” and “Heart Like Mine” won critical acclaim on her album Revolution and took her to the top of the country charts.

She’s the reigning female vocalist of the year, awarded by both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association and was named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People of 2012.

Her latest album Four the Record reflects her current life living on a farm in Oklahoma with her husband, country music star Blake Shelton, who she married in 2011.

“It is natural for a person to change a lot during their twenties,” said Lambert, 28. “With my first album, Kerosene, I had a lot to say and probably a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I have learned so much since then about life and the music industry, so for my newest album, I incorporated songs that reflect the many different parts of my personality.

“I am still the fiery girl I was on Kerosene so I have new songs like ‘Fastest Girl In Town.’ But I also wanted folks to know that I have grown up a bit since then and am settled and happy, so there are songs like ‘Oklahoma Sky’ and ‘Safe.’”

And she continues to show her versatility.

Her tour has featured covers that aren’t exactly traditional country songs, like Lady GaGa’s “You and I” and Aretha Franklin’s “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man.”

She’s even given acting a try, appearing on an episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

“I didn’t think much about acting until I got an offer to appear on one of my favorite TV shows,” Lambert said. “ It was so much fun, and everyone on the set was so nice. If another opportunity like that came along, I would probably consider it, but music will definitely always be my main focus.”

Lambert also has some unexpected future projects in mind — she wants to do a duet with fellow native Texan Beyonce.

“I would love to do a duet with Beyonce,” Lambert said. “She’s such an awesome performer, and we have the same kind of girl power attitude.”

And speaking of girl power, after her tour finishes in September, Lambert is looking to do more work with the Pistol Annies trio she formed last year with singers Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Their single “Hell on Heels” reached No. 1 on the country charts.

“I love sharing the spotlight with my good friends,” Lambert said. “They are so beautiful and talented and we focus on having fun and making music that really speaks to our country roots. It’s hard to describe, so we just call it ‘music for housewives.’”